Forum: Had it with District 150’s spin

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Journal Star

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Posted May. 29, 2014 at 9:47 PM
Updated May 29, 2014 at 9:48 PM

Posted May. 29, 2014 at 9:47 PM
Updated May 29, 2014 at 9:48 PM

As a parent of children at Peoria’s Charter Oak Primary School, I am extremely disappointed in District 150’s reaction to the Illinois State Board of Education’s statement regarding alleged ISAT testing irregularities at Charter Oak.

After conducting what the ISBE indicated was a “thorough review of the state data referenced throughout the report,” the state summarizes its position quite simply: “The results are inconclusive.” In addition, the ISBE indicates that while there are discrepant results for a select group of students, “there is no evidence that the answer documents of these students have been manipulated or tampered with in any way.”

Most reasonable individuals would understand this to mean that proof of wrongdoing on the part of Charter Oak staff was not identified. However, District 150 leadership has apparently chosen to adopt a policy of guilty until proven innocent by releasing a letter stating that “the (ISBE) letter does not say that there was no wrongdoing by the employees,” followed up with statements standing by their original allegations.

While disappointing, this was not unexpected. And now District 150 leadership is attempting to spin the state’s statements. As a parent, I can honestly say that I do not feel district leadership has listened to the concerns of parents or acted in the best interests of our children’s education. That begs the question: Whose interests do they truly represent?